Northampton College signs up to major apprenticeship scheme

The opening of the new Northampton College building on Booth Lane South. ENGNNL00120110305172924

A major logistics firm set to take on more than 300 apprentices before April, has joined forces with Northampton College.

Around 40 Norbert Dentressangle sites throughout the UK will be taking part in the scheme offering young people operational-based apprenticeships in the storage and warehousing, transport and distribution and engineering sections of the business.

The transport, logistics, and freight forwarding company, whose logistics division headquarters for the UK is in Lodge Way, Northampton, is also taking on a number of positions in administration and in recruitment.

Head of enterprise at Northampton College, Simon Stewart, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be joining forces with Norbert Dentressangle and to be able to offer Apprenticeship opportunities on such a big scale to people across Northamptonshire.

The apprenticeships, part of a Government-backed scheme combine formal training with workplace experience and offer a wage.

Those on the placements will work towards an NVQ Level 2 qualification.

Norbert Dentressangle’s head of learning and development Chris Dolby – himself a former apprentice – said: “For us, employing apprentices represents a win-win situation – they earn while they learn, and we have the opportunity to mould enthusiastic youngsters into our type of person.”

“Unlike many other professional service industries, where a degree is almost a prerequisite for career progression, many senior people in the logistics industry have ‘come up through the ranks’.”

Lyon, France–based Norbert Dentressangle currently employs around 14,600 people in the UK.

For more information about the apprenticeships call Northampton College on 01604 734323 or visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk/business